The total number of people who died from the Saturday's earthquake has reached 3,000. Hundreds others have been feared dead. An earthquake measuring 7.8 in Richter scale hit Kathmandu valley and other parts of the country at 11:56 am Saturday. A series of powerful aftershocks measuring over 6 Richter scale are being felt in Kathmandu and other parts of the country. Nepali Information Minister Minendra Rijal said there had been "massive damage" at the epicentre, from where little information is emerging.
Officials say the death toll could reach 6000. Rescue operations are being conducted.Nepal Tribhuvan international airport closes briefly after powerful aftershock Planes were forced to turn around midflight when Nepal's international airport briefly shut down on Sunday, following a powerful aftershock.
The shutdown highlights the difficulty facing Nepal's authorities who are struggling to rescue and treat thousands of people in the capital which has been left devastated by Saturday's powerful earthquake.
As well as killing more than 2,800 people nationwide, the quake toppled whole buildings and ripped apart roads and other infrastructure, cutting off electricity and communication networks.Watch Exclusive footage from Nepal television of powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake. "We need support from the various international agencies which are more knowledgeable and equipped to handle the kind of emergency we face now," Information Minister Minendra Rijal.The death toll from Saturday earthquake in Nepal has climbed to 800, according to government officials. Hundreds others have been feared dead in earthquake. The government has declared a state of national emergency in a move to expedite the rescue operation. An emergency meeting of the cabinet took a decision to this effect. People are staying outdoors as tremors are still being felt.A deadly 7.9 magnitude quake with epicenter at Gorkha district killed over 1500 persons and levelled many historical monuments and buildings across the country on Saturday.
